Friday, February 02, 2007

AT Hiker Ralph Ferrusi Writes a Column

The Poughkeepsie (NY) Journal apparently carries a weekly column by Ralph Ferrusi of Stormville, NY called "Hike of the Week" each Thursday.

"Ferrusi has hiked the entire Appalachian Trail twice and maintains a section of the AT," according to the notes at the bottom of the 1 February 2007 column. This particular column is entitled "'Bear' of a Hike Worth the Effort" and is about a hike in Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park. From one point on the hike you can see Anthony's Nose, the Bear Mountain Bridge, Bear Mountain itself, West Point, and other points of interest.

You might could get a chuckle out of Ferrusi's opening advice: "Watch out for: A sign at the trailhead warns: "YOU ARE IN BEAR COUNTRY. THE BEST WAY TO AVOID BEAR PROBLEMS IS NOT TO ATTRACT THEM…" So, how to make yourself unattractive to bears? Don't wash for a week? Nope, this might make you more attractive! Wear goofy heart-shaped sunglasses with red lenses and thick white plastic frames? Mix plaids with stripes??? Your call…"

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

ihooltuRalph hasn't lost his touch. Besides, I used to maintain that section of the trail 35 years ago so I truly know how beautiful it is. Especially if you catch the mountain laurels at the peak of their spring bloon.
He and I hiked many miles of the AT together. He preferred a bamboo hiking staff. I preferred hard-rock maple. We looked like two gristled mountain men as we approached the lodge on top of Mt. Washington.